Vanderbilt must keep Nick Chubb in check
The way to slow down Nick Chubb seems elementary to Vanderbilt’s defense, but it’s a lesson none have learned so far.
It mostly comes down to tackling perhaps the best running back in college football when Vanderbilt (0-1) hosts No. 10 Georgia (1-0) on Saturday (2:30 p.m./CBS).
“It’s easier said than done, but it’s going to come down to tackling,” coach Derek Mason said. “… If we don’t tackle him, we’re just like everybody else.”
5 keys for Vanderbilt vs. Georgia
Chubb, an early Heisman Trophy candidate, has rushed for at least 100 yards in all nine consecutive starts of his career, the longest active streak in FBS. His 1,547 yards last season ranks fourth on Georgia’s all-time single-season rushing list behind only Herschel Walker’s three seasons.
In Chubb’s last time coming off the bench, he rushed for 78 yards on just eight carries in a 44-17 win over Vanderbilt in October. But that came after starter Todd Gurley ran for 163 yards against the Commodores.
Any chance of an upset win must include getting Chubb on the ground quickly and limiting the Georgia ground game.
“We’re going to have to bring the big boys pads,” strong safety Andrew Williamson said. “… Just watching the film, (Chubb) breaks a lot of arm tackles. He is good at getting yards after contact. It’s going to be a big thing to get 11 hats to the ball and gang tackling.”
Vanderbilt OL prefers his RB over Nick Chubb 'any day'
Georgia rushed for 243 yards, including 120 yards by Chubb, and four TDs last week in a 51-14 win over Louisiana Monroe in a game that was cut short due to inclement weather. But Mason estimated from game film that about half of those yards were gained after initial contact when Georgia running backs broke tackles.
“It still comes back to tackling, opportunities to get guys on the ground,” Mason said. “… (Chubb) is the prototypical back. He’s got great size. He is powerful. He runs with great vision. More than anything, he breaks tackles.”
Mason’s defense held Western Kentucky quarterback Brandon Doughty, the nation’s top passer last season, to only 209 yards in a 14-12 loss last week. Now his Commodores face perhaps the nation’s best rusher.
“Two totally different animals,” said Mason, comparing the two offenses. “You are talking about a (Georgia) team built to run. … But we are challenged again with playing one of the top offenses in the country. It’s going to be a test for us.”
Georgia touts three strong running backs in Chubb, Sony Michel and Keith Marshall. The Bulldogs have a new offensive coordinator in NFL coaching veteran Brian Schottenheimer and new quarterback in Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert.
Mason and the Commodores have said little about Lambert or the Georgia passing game except that they need to limit the ground attack enough to force him to throw the ball in third-and-long situations.
“We have to continue to work hard to stop the run,” Mason said. “You have to make teams one-dimensional or as one-dimensional as you can make them. … We welcome the challenge.”
Reach Adam Sparks at 615-259-8010 and on Twitter @AdamSparks.
NEXT GAME
NO. 10 GEORGIA (1-0) AT VANDERBILT (0-1)
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
TV/radio: CBS/1510-AM, 95.9 FM